Freelance Motoring Writer

Subaru's high-riding hatch can tackle a bit of the rough stuff while still being competent in urban driving.

The dilemma

Margaret is after an economical, city-friendly car that will also help satisfy her camping bug. It doesn’t need to be brand new or big, just able to handle two occupants and their camping gear, and she wouldn’t mind if it were capable of doing a bit of mild off-road slithering.

The budget

$25,000 to $35,000

Advertisement

The shortlist

Margaret will be able to entertain nearly every mainstream compact SUV in this budget range. And most, assuming they’re a 4WD rather than 2WD derivative, will be capable of fulfilling her basic wish for a city-friendly car that can handle adventurous weekends.

We get the feeling, though, that the functionality of a wagon-style compact SUV (Honda CR-V, Nissan X-Trail, etc) might not be necessary – maybe it would be if back-seat riders were to be considered but if it’s only camping gear then a smaller, hatch-like SUV with the back seats folded should be fine.

Which ones? Well, these three are by no means the only ultra-compact SUVs on offer but, unlike some more city-orientated ones, they’re quite happy to get their feet dirty.

2010-on Nissan Dualis Series II 4WD, from $20,460*

Maybe Margaret’s tent is the Taj Mahal, maybe she carries around a lot of muddy, filthy items. If so an X-Trail, with its much larger, hose-out boot, could be better.

But this Nissan is smaller and that bit more manageable while – owing to some shared mechanical stuff – maintaining much of its big brother’s off-road nous. If its 2.0-litre petrol engine is a bit listless next to the X-Trail’s 2.5, you get a more attractive exterior and better tied-down road manners to compensate.

The Dualis is also good value – $25k is enough for a sub-30,000km 2010-13 Series II Ti with all the luxuries, while $35k will bring mint 2013 update Ti-Ls with even more kit (specifically sat nav and reversing camera) into frame.

2011-on Skoda Yeti 4X4, from $24,420*

This Skoda isn’t big at all but, with its three exceptionally versatile individual rear seats taken out, has a big, boxy load space kind of like one of those small Euro vans.

That’s not it’s only appealing feature. Where the Nissan’s performance and driving qualities are merely satisfactory the Yeti throws in punchy, thrifty turbo petrol/diesel engines and some of the best handling in the class. Its cabin is upmarket, its off-road abilities are not to be sneezed at and it's a buyer’s market out there – we’ve seen 2012 112 TSI petrols and 103 TDI diesels with sub-10,000km odo counts for $25k, while the full $35k motzah will easily buy you into all-but-new 2013 models.

However, you might be disappointed if you expect a plush rough-road ride, the same kind of upmarket toys as the Nissan or – if its premium-unleaded preference and VW Group’s continuing reliability woes are any guide – the cheapest, most trouble-free ownership experience.

2012-on Subaru XV, from $22,440*

Conceptually, this is a similar package to the Dualis and it has similar strengths and weakness.

The boot, for example, isn’t that big (though, as established, it should be big enough with the back seats folded down), its 2.0-litre petrol engine is far from stirring and there are sharper driving compact SUVs. It is, however, a well-equipped, city-friendly package that just happens to have better than average off-road and durability credentials.

Differences? The more contemporary Subie has fuel-saving features like auto stop/start, is more economical and, owing to more ground clearance, a little happier off-road. You can also get a new 2.0i at this budget, though with tidy, more generously equipped 2012 2.0i-L and 2.0i-L models kicking around from $25k and 2013 minters of both going for $35k it wouldn’t be our preferred option.

Drive recommends

In many ways, from its gutsy performance, diesel option and upmarket cabin to the way it drives and the suitability of its versatile cabin to this particular scenario, the Yeti is head and shoulders above its Japanese foes. But these assets are shadowed by the spectre of potential cost and reliability niggles that could compromise the ownership experience.

The Dualis and XV? Well, on the whole, from their performance and driving flair to their durability and functionality, they aren’t easy cars to separate. But if it were our money we'd be finding the Subaru’s more contemporary origins, superior thrift and greater off-road scope hard to resist.

* Values are estimates provided by Glass’s Guide based on an example averaging up to 20,000km per annum and in a well-maintained condition relevant to its age.

37 comments so far

How can the Yeti be better when it has "the spectre of potential cost and reliability niggles that could compromise the ownership experience", well it's not better then is it.I would put those at the top of my reasons for not buyinf a particular car, ahead of handling, comfort, power etc, why because it doesn't matter how good any of these thing are if the car breaks down & is not reliable, then it meana you are going nowhere fast.

Commenter

Sid

Location

ACT

Date and time

November 28, 2013, 11:07AM

Service costs are entirely an owner's choice, you don't have to pay dealer service costs. Skoda is a very reliable brand, despite being part of the VAG group and so are many other brands under VAG. The blanket statement in the article is a gross generalization.

I'd be more concerned about the recall on the Dualis where the steering wheel comes off whilst driving and the recall on the XV regarding stalling engines at speed.

Commenter

Problem?

Location

Date and time

November 28, 2013, 12:15PM

Curiously, Problerm? Has totally neglected to mention these recalls for VAG products from 2013 & 2012. Must be selective amnesia.

Amarok:A limited number of Amarok vehicles had fuel pipes incorrectly positioned during production. This defect, combined with vibrations in the engine bay, may lead to chafing or cracks developing in the fuel pipes. If the defect occurs, diesel fuel may leak and cause a vehicle fire. This poses a hazard to the driver and other road users.

Various vehicles with DSG:

Due to electrolysis in the gearbox, the sulphur constituents in the synthetic oil can separate off. These accumulations settle between the conductor paths of the electronics in the form of conductive particles and can therefore cause an electrical short circuit and the gearbox fuse could blow. Should this happen, the clutch will fully open due to power supply failure, causing the vehicle to roll to a stop if in motion.In the majority of cases, the fault occurs when the engine is started with the vehicle stationary. If the fuse blows while the vehicle is in motion, however, a sudden loss of power at the wheels could in certain circumstances occur while the vehicle is being driven. This may pose a hazard to the vehicle occupants and other road users. All other functions of the vehicle (steering, braking, etc.) remain fully active.

Various models:Engine resonances under certain operating conditions could eventually lead to cracks in an injection pipe. The defect may lead to leaking diesel fuel and in the worst case could lead to a vehicle fire.

You can read all about it at recalls.gov.au.

Commenter

Mr Irony

Location

Out There

Date and time

November 30, 2013, 10:15PM

You listed the Amarok. Well done. Interestingly, Toyota had the most recalls for 2013....

Commenter

Problem?

Location

Date and time

December 02, 2013, 2:10PM

2 occupants, city friendly, economical, 4x4 if required.Unless Margaret is carrying huge amounts of gear, a Suzuki SX4 would be the perfect match. And she could buy new with change.

Commenter

Avago

Date and time

November 28, 2013, 11:12AM

Still laughing at thought of someone taking the SX4 camping let alone off-road camping! This XV is a no-brainer over the Suzuki, it kills it for ground clearance and full time AWD.

Commenter

Richo

Location

Mitcham

Date and time

November 28, 2013, 12:50PM

I agree the Suzuki is a great alternative also as it's a very reliable and well proven car.It's also cheap to buy and own.It has excellent performance (much stronger than the Subaru) and still similar good economy.Yes I wouldn't bush bash but beach,rough tracks and wet grass are what I think Margaret is after and the Suzuki is great at those and more.The back seat double folds for good space also.I've worked mine hard doing deliveries for 95.000kms and no problems.Robust.I charge through driveways,speed bumps and mound kerbs often.I have never scraped the underneath or front and am impressed at that as it makes it a really practical car.BTW it's really economical on runs,my older version with 4sp auto gets 6.5lt/100kms on holiday drives.

Commenter

Andrewbris

Location

Brisbane

Date and time

November 28, 2013, 3:09PM

If you actually knew what you were talking about, Richo, and not relying on anecdotal badge cred, you'd realise that ground clearance in the SX4 and the XV are practically the same, and the Suzuki's AWD system is reportedly very capable, having several different modes from permanent AWD, auto AWD and FWD only. In fact, if I had to choose I'd take the SX4 over the glorified Impreza for 'off-roading'.

Commenter

Problem?

Location

Date and time

November 28, 2013, 3:32PM

@Problem? wrote the "ground clearance in the SX4 and the XV are practically the same".

Mate, you need a new tape measure for Xmas! According the factory websites the ground clearances for the vehicles in question are:XV: 220mm;Yeti: 180mm; Dualis: 188mm;SX4: 160mm (17” tyre), 165mm (15” tyre) and 175mm (16” tyre)

That means the XV has an advantage of 45-60mm over the SX4 which is massive in itself, but the Subaru also does a fair job at tucking all the sensitive bits of engine, exhaust and suspension up out of harms way. It is no serious off-roader and it is gutless, but the XV will go places the SX4 could only ever dream about!

For Pete's sake, the SX4 only has a tiny 20mm advantage over the Suzuki Swift city hatch (140mm)! The XV actually has the same ground clearance as a standard Toyota Prado at 220mm, although I appreciate that isn't comparing apples with apples..